FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said the Philippines has always advocated that the formulation of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea (SCS) should be consistent with international law and effectively govern behavior at sea.
Lazaro referred to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), which defines and codifies the standards and principles of international maritime law.
The Philippines, as chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2026, is working overtime to finalize the COC, which will govern the actions of concerned parties in the SCS to maintain peace, stability and economic growth in the region.
The atolls, islets and other features in the SCS are claimed in whole by China and in part by Asean member states Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Taiwan also has a stake in the Spratly Islands in the SCS.
In a statement on Wednesday, Lazaro said the Philippines has also advocated that the COC should “not carve out a special regime” and “not diminish the rights and interests of third-party states.” She issued the statement in reaction to remarks by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concerning the situation in the SCS and the consultation on the completion of the COC this year.
Wang said China is hoping that as this year’s Asean chairman, the Philippines will “recognize and fulfill its responsibility, resist the pull of self-interest and play a positive role for peace and stability in the region.” The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) chief said that as Asean chairman in 2026, the Philippines approached this issue “with a clear sense of responsibility to the region and to the international community.” ”As such, the Philippines is committed to ensuring that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, stability and cooperation,” the DFA chief said.
”Likewise, lasting peace and stability in the South China Sea requires all countries, whether big or small, to meet their obligations and responsibilities under international law, particularly Unclos,” Lazaro said.
”Countries have to exercise self-restraint and avoid actions that could complicate the situation or increase tensions at sea,” she added.
The Philippines, she said, “is committed to working constructively with all Asean member states and China to conclude an effective, substantive and legally binding COC within the year in line with the agreed guidelines.” Guided by the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” the Philippines is “committed to take credible, professional and steady stewardship of the Asean chairship this year as we seek collective solutions to regional concerns, including in the maritime domain,” she said.
”To this end, we welcome practical cooperation among all Asean member countries and China in essential areas such as maritime safety, marine environmental protection, search and rescue, and the well-being of seafarers, as well as in upholding freedom of navigation and overflight,” Lazaro said.
The Philippines “will firmly uphold Asean unity and centrality in addressing regional maritime issues, even as we are unequivocal in protecting our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” she added.
